Method and apparatus for eye model and testing thereof

Abstract

Various embodiments are described herein for two-piece eye models for simulating an eye. The eye model generally has an eyelid member having a concave inner surface to simulate an inner surface of an eyelid; and an eyeball member having a rounded surface for simulating an eyeball and being sized to be releasably received within the concave inner surface of the eyelid member. Other embodiments may include at least one of an eye model holder, a fluidic system and an eye movement unit.

1 . An eye model for simulating an eye, wherein the eye model comprises:
 an eyelid member having a concave inner surface to simulate an inner surface of an eyelid; and   an eyeball member having a rounded surface for simulating an eyeball and being sized to be releasably received within the concave inner surface of the eyelid member.   
     
     
         2 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eyelid member and the eyeball member have a vertical orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the eyelid member and the eyeball member are made of polymers comprising at least one of Agar, protein derived polymers, synthetic polymers, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, hydrogel polymers and elastomers. 
     
     
         4 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the eye members comprise one or more functional layers on an outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The eye model of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more functional layers comprise at least one of collagen, a combination of epithelial cells and collagen, hydrophobic species, hydrophilic species, hydrophobic species, lipids and proteins. 
     
     
         6 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eye model further comprises an eye model holder that releasably holds the eyelid and the eyeball members slightly apart from each other to provide a channel therebetween having a channel inlet and a channel outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The eye model of  claim 6 , wherein the eye model holder comprises a body having an upper surface and lower legs that have flat lower surfaces to provide a stable surface for the eye model holder to stand in an upright position, the legs having inner side walls and the body a having a lower surface that collectively define a cavity to releasably fixedly receive the eye ball and eyelid members. 
     
     
         8 . The eye model of  claim 6 , wherein the eye model holder comprises:
 two holder portions for holding the eyeball and eyelid members, respectively, the two holder portions having flat lower surfaces to provide a stable support and upper surfaces that are shaped for releasably holding the eyeball and eyelid members, respectively; and   at least one gap member for setting a width for a gap between surfaces of the eyelid and eyeball members that face each other.   
     
     
         9 . The eye model of  claim 6 , wherein the eye model further comprises a fluid system including:
 a fluid source coupled to the channel inlet of the channel between the eyeball members for providing fluid thereto during testing; and   a collection well coupled to the channel outlet for receiving the fluid during testing.   
     
     
         10 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eyeball member comprises a porous surface layer and an intravitreal space having at least one of a cavity and a porous network. 
     
     
         11 . The eye model of  claim 10 , wherein the eyeball piece comprises poloxamers to create at least one of the cavity and the porous network. 
     
     
         12 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eye model further comprises an eye movement unit to move at least one of the eyeball and eyelid members relative to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The eye model of  claim 12 , wherein the eye movement unit comprises:
 a control unit configured to control movement of at least one the eyelid and eyeball members;   at least one actuator configured to move at least one of the eyelid and eyeball members; and   at least one motor coupled to the control unit and the at least one actuator, the at least one motor being configured to receive control signals from the control unit to cause the at least one actuator to move at least one the eyelid and eyeball members.   
     
     
         14 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eyeball member comprises at least one foreign body. 
     
     
         15 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eye model comprises materials allowing the eye model to be used for at least one of drug discovery, microbiology and toxicology testing. 
     
     
         16 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eyeball member comprises a support region, an indented region formed at a top portion of the support region and a cornea region formed at a central portion of the indented region. 
     
     
         17 . The eye model of  claim 1 , wherein the eyeball member comprises a support region, an indented region formed at a top portion of the support region and a flat region formed at a central portion of the indented region. 
     
     
         18 . A method for fabricating an eye model, the method comprising:
 producing an eyelid member having a concave inner surface to simulate an inner surface of an eyelid; and   producing an eyeball member having a rounded surface for simulating an eyeball and being sized to be releasably received within the concave inner surface of the eyelid member.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises using at least one of Agar, protein derived polymers, synthetic polymers, polysaccharides, synthetic polymers, hydrogel polymers and elastomers to fabricate the eyelid and eyeball members. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method comprises forming at least one functional layer on at least one of the eye members. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the forming of the at least one functional layer comprises using at least one of collagen, a combination of epithelial cells and collagen, hydrophobic species, hydrophilic species, hydrophobic species, lipids and proteins. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the functional layers are fabricated using at least one of spin coating, dip coating, plasma treatment, and gas treatment depending on the materials used for the eyeball and eye lid members. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises:
 forming an eye model holder that releasably holds the eyelid and the eyeball members slightly apart from each other to provide a channel therebetween having a channel inlet and a channel outlet.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method comprises forming the eyeball piece with an intravitreal space comprising at least one of a cavity and a porous network. 
     
     
         25 . The method  claim 24 , wherein the method comprises using poloxamers to create at least one of the cavity and the porous network. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method comprises inserting at least one foreign body in the eyeball member. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the eyelid and eyeball members are fabricated using 3D printed molds. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the members are fabricated using direct 3D printing of polymer materials. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the eye model is fabricated from materials that allow the eye model to be used for at least one of drug discovery, microbiology and toxicology testing.